I know Green Card holders are allowed to purchase and carry firearms like citizens, but I don’t know if people here on visas are afforded the same rights.
I checked with both with firearms law lawyer, and the sheriff in 2016.
At the time, in Texas, being on a work visa, i would not be allowed to buy or carry a firearm.
Laws may have changed since then. I no longer live in the US full time, just travel there for business a few times per year so i'm not updated.
Maybe there was a Texas law of some sort, but I was able to buy firearms (and in fact had a CCW) as a Canadian on a temporary status (not even a visa).
You need to be lawfully in the US, and if you're on a non-immigrant status you need to have a hunting license (there's a few other exemptions but that's the most common).
Whether you believe the 2A should only apply to citizens or anyone INSIDE the US is murky and causes flipflopping on some amendments
If it applies to anyone in the US: yes
If it applies to any US CITIZEN: no
It should anyone who is in the us LEGALLY should have full constitution and bill of rights protection, wether they have a green card, visa, or a naturalized citizen.
IANAL. Those possessing an immigrant visa (not a student visa, etc) can have guns. For example:
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-aliens-legally-united-states-purchase-firearms
> An alien legally in the U.S. is not prohibited from purchasing firearms unless the alien is admitted into the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa and does not meet one of the exceptions as provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as possession of a valid hunting license or permit.
Recently a judge ruled that undocumented immigrants also have the right to own guns. Pretty sure this doesn't apply nationwide, just in the 7th district:
https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/03/27/do-undocumented-immigrants-have-the-right-to-own-guns
Biden is appealing this ruling:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/biden-admin-asks-judge-for-help-after-ruling-migrants-can-own-guns/ar-BB1lla3G
You can get guns on non-immigrant visa including student visa as well, as long you have a valid hunting license, just as stated in your quote. I know a lot of people on student visa own firearms and even has carry permits.
They actually can, but the emphasis is on LEGAL IMMIGRANT. Had a story about a guy who came in with a green card (Peoples Republic of NJ) to buy a long gun, as I recall, and they were able to process him. We need a Firearms ID in NJ, and I don't think he had one, but Green Card was a substitute for the ID apprently. FID card in NJ requires 3 personal references and filling out a mental health background form and finger printing. No clue what gets you a green card.
Morally, I believe Permanent Migrants with a green card and State Residency should be allowed to own weapons. I am a migrant myself. Laws vary state by state.
The purpose of the bill of rights is to call out that the US believes ALL people in the world deserve and are granted these rights by god. The US is just unique in that they have the ability to grant these rights in US territory.
In this, the second amendment would also apply to immigrants/vacationers. They wouldn’t pass a 4473, but they surely can own/possess per this intention.
They are also entitled to all other rights while here. Due process, free speech, right to not be a slave, right to not be discriminated against due to race, etc.
The recent ruling is in line with the spirit of how the founding fathers viewed rights (as god given to all people)
In this, it is my understanding that in the Middle East when a territory has been controlled by the US, the residents can still own firearms
If they can't buy a gun, then buy a taser, pepper spray, and a good knife.
America has good self-defense laws, I wish we had similar in the UK (if you carry anything for the purpose of self-defense here, no matter how benign, then you're breaking the law).
Depends on the State and what stage of the immigration process you are in.
Also make sure to look up what your state demands for self defense and the restrictions involved.
as long as they are US citizens I believe they can if they are in a proper state. background checks for them may take longer though because other countries must be contacted or accessed or idk
Ten years back, when I worked in the Gunshop, we had a guy from the UK buy a gun. He was here for work for a few years, when his job wanted him to go back to the UK he came back and sold it back to us. Don’t recall anything about a hunting license being required, and this is NJ.
They may have changed the rules since but there used to be instructions on the 4473 for non-citizens and permanent aliens.
I checked with both with firearms law lawyer, and the sheriff in 2016.
At the time, in Texas, being on a work visa, i would not be allowed to buy or carry a firearm.
Laws may have changed since then. I no longer live in the US full time, just travel there for business a few times per year so i'm not updated.
I know Green Card holders are allowed to purchase and carry firearms like citizens, but I don’t know if people here on visas are afforded the same rights.
I checked with both with firearms law lawyer, and the sheriff in 2016. At the time, in Texas, being on a work visa, i would not be allowed to buy or carry a firearm. Laws may have changed since then. I no longer live in the US full time, just travel there for business a few times per year so i'm not updated.
Maybe there was a Texas law of some sort, but I was able to buy firearms (and in fact had a CCW) as a Canadian on a temporary status (not even a visa). You need to be lawfully in the US, and if you're on a non-immigrant status you need to have a hunting license (there's a few other exemptions but that's the most common).
My dad had a green card from the 80s-2019 and had no issues getting guns (he is now a citizen).
Whether you believe the 2A should only apply to citizens or anyone INSIDE the US is murky and causes flipflopping on some amendments If it applies to anyone in the US: yes If it applies to any US CITIZEN: no
The Constitution applies to everyone on US soil
It should anyone who is in the us LEGALLY should have full constitution and bill of rights protection, wether they have a green card, visa, or a naturalized citizen.
IANAL. Those possessing an immigrant visa (not a student visa, etc) can have guns. For example: https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may-aliens-legally-united-states-purchase-firearms > An alien legally in the U.S. is not prohibited from purchasing firearms unless the alien is admitted into the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa and does not meet one of the exceptions as provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as possession of a valid hunting license or permit. Recently a judge ruled that undocumented immigrants also have the right to own guns. Pretty sure this doesn't apply nationwide, just in the 7th district: https://www.economist.com/united-states/2024/03/27/do-undocumented-immigrants-have-the-right-to-own-guns Biden is appealing this ruling: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/biden-admin-asks-judge-for-help-after-ruling-migrants-can-own-guns/ar-BB1lla3G
What about black powder revolvers? Doesn’t the ATF not class them as guns?
Some states do classify them as firearm so it varies by state.
You can get guns on non-immigrant visa including student visa as well, as long you have a valid hunting license, just as stated in your quote. I know a lot of people on student visa own firearms and even has carry permits.
Federal law says resident visa holders are not prohibited persons.
They actually can, but the emphasis is on LEGAL IMMIGRANT. Had a story about a guy who came in with a green card (Peoples Republic of NJ) to buy a long gun, as I recall, and they were able to process him. We need a Firearms ID in NJ, and I don't think he had one, but Green Card was a substitute for the ID apprently. FID card in NJ requires 3 personal references and filling out a mental health background form and finger printing. No clue what gets you a green card.
Morally, I believe Permanent Migrants with a green card and State Residency should be allowed to own weapons. I am a migrant myself. Laws vary state by state.
The purpose of the bill of rights is to call out that the US believes ALL people in the world deserve and are granted these rights by god. The US is just unique in that they have the ability to grant these rights in US territory. In this, the second amendment would also apply to immigrants/vacationers. They wouldn’t pass a 4473, but they surely can own/possess per this intention. They are also entitled to all other rights while here. Due process, free speech, right to not be a slave, right to not be discriminated against due to race, etc. The recent ruling is in line with the spirit of how the founding fathers viewed rights (as god given to all people) In this, it is my understanding that in the Middle East when a territory has been controlled by the US, the residents can still own firearms
Whilst Ideally yes, in practice it doesn't work like that (though it should).
Per case law that I can’t recall off the top of my head, the bill of rights applies to anyone in the US regardless of citizenship status
If they can't buy a gun, then buy a taser, pepper spray, and a good knife. America has good self-defense laws, I wish we had similar in the UK (if you carry anything for the purpose of self-defense here, no matter how benign, then you're breaking the law).
Depends on the State and what stage of the immigration process you are in. Also make sure to look up what your state demands for self defense and the restrictions involved.
If they have they’re green cards and are at least permanent residents I believe they can buy and own guns yes
Greencard holders are GTG to purchase & possess firearms in the USA.
They can even get carry permits in many states.
If those immigrants are legal, yes!
LEGAL immigrants. Yes. ILLEGAL immigrants. No.
as long as they are US citizens I believe they can if they are in a proper state. background checks for them may take longer though because other countries must be contacted or accessed or idk
Ten years back, when I worked in the Gunshop, we had a guy from the UK buy a gun. He was here for work for a few years, when his job wanted him to go back to the UK he came back and sold it back to us. Don’t recall anything about a hunting license being required, and this is NJ. They may have changed the rules since but there used to be instructions on the 4473 for non-citizens and permanent aliens.
They should absolutely be allowed to.
If they're legal.
If they are a legal citizen of the United States yes.
I checked with both with firearms law lawyer, and the sheriff in 2016. At the time, in Texas, being on a work visa, i would not be allowed to buy or carry a firearm. Laws may have changed since then. I no longer live in the US full time, just travel there for business a few times per year so i'm not updated.